Biggest Esports Games by Viewership: A Comprehensive List

Esports has been gaining immense popularity in recent years, with millions of fans tuning in to watch their favorite games and players compete. The rise of esports has led to the emergence of several games that have become household names in the gaming industry. These games have amassed a massive following, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch the biggest esports tournaments.

League of Legends, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive are some of the biggest esports games in terms of viewership. These games have consistently attracted millions of viewers, with some tournaments reaching peak viewership numbers of over 5 million. The growth of esports has also led to the emergence of new games such as Valorant, which has quickly gained a massive following and has become one of the most-watched esports games.

The popularity of esports has also led to the emergence of several esports tournaments, with prize pools reaching millions of dollars. The International, League of Legends World Championship, and The Overwatch League are some of the biggest esports tournaments, attracting millions of viewers from around the world. The growth of esports shows no signs of slowing down, and it is expected that more games will emerge in the coming years, cementing the position of esports as a major player in the entertainment industry.

Understanding Esports Viewership

Esports viewership refers to the number of people who tune in to watch professional video game competitions. As the popularity of esports continues to grow, so does its viewership. In fact, according to Statista, the global esports audience is expected to reach 646 million in 2023.

Esports viewership is typically measured by peak concurrent viewership, which refers to the highest number of viewers watching a specific event or tournament at the same time. This metric is often used to determine the popularity of esports games and events.

The most popular esports games by viewership are often those with the largest prize pools, as well as those with the most engaging gameplay and competitive scenes. Esports Charts reports that the top esports games by peak viewership in 2023 are:

• Dota 2
• Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
• Fortnite
• League of Legends
• VALORANT

It’s worth noting that the popularity of esports games can vary by region. For example, while League of Legends is the most popular esports game worldwide, Esports Charts reports that mobile esports games are particularly popular in Asia.

Overall, understanding esports viewership is important for both players and organizations within the esports industry. By knowing which games are the most popular, players can make informed decisions about which games to focus on, while organizations can make strategic decisions about which games to invest in.

Top Esports Games by Viewership

Esports has been a rapidly growing industry in recent years, and its popularity has been driven by the viewership of some of the biggest games in the industry. Here are the top esports games by viewership:

League of Legends

League of Legends has consistently been one of the most popular esports games, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch the game’s biggest tournaments. In 2023, the game’s Mid-Season Invitational tournament achieved 2.3 million viewers at its peak, making it the most popular esports game by viewership.

Fortnite

Fortnite has quickly become one of the biggest esports games, with its popularity driven by the game’s unique battle royale format. The game’s World Cup in 2020 was a huge success, with over 2 million viewers tuning in to watch the tournament’s final match.

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, or PUBG, is another popular battle royale game that has gained a large following in the esports community. The game’s biggest tournament, the PUBG Global Championship, had a peak viewership of 1.2 million in 2022.

Dota 2

Dota 2 is a multiplayer online battle arena game that has been a staple in the esports community for years. The game’s biggest tournament, The International, had a peak viewership of 1.5 million in 2022.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, or CS, is a first-person shooter game that has been a popular esports game for over a decade. The game’s biggest tournament, the Intel Extreme Masters Katowice, had a peak viewership of 1.1 million in 2022.

Overall, these top esports games have attracted millions of viewers from around the world, and their popularity shows no signs of slowing down.

Factors Influencing Viewership

Esports viewership has been on the rise in recent years, with millions of people tuning in to watch their favorite games being played at the highest level. Several factors contribute to the popularity of esports, including gameplay, the competitive scene, and prize pools.

Gameplay

One of the most significant factors influencing esports viewership is gameplay. Games that are easy to understand but difficult to master tend to attract a wider audience. For example, League of Legends, one of the most popular esports games, has a simple objective: destroy the enemy team’s base. However, the game’s complex mechanics and strategies make it challenging to play at a professional level, which makes it exciting to watch.

In contrast, games that are too complicated or inaccessible to the average viewer tend to have a smaller audience. For example, Dota 2, another popular esports game, has a steep learning curve, which makes it less appealing to casual viewers.

Competitive Scene

The competitive scene is another critical factor that influences esports viewership. Fans tend to follow their favorite players and teams, which creates a sense of community and loyalty. Games that have a well-established competitive scene with regular tournaments and leagues tend to have a more dedicated fan base.

For example, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS) has a thriving competitive scene, with several tournaments and leagues taking place throughout the year. This consistent schedule of events helps to keep fans engaged and interested in the game.

Prize Pools

Finally, prize pools are another significant factor that influences esports viewership. Fans are often drawn to games that offer large cash prizes, as they create a sense of excitement and competition. Games that have consistently high prize pools tend to attract top talent, which in turn leads to more exciting and competitive matches.

For example, Dota 2 is known for its massive prize pools, with the annual Dota 2 International tournament offering millions of dollars in cash prizes. This high level of financial investment attracts some of the best players in the world, which makes for an exciting and competitive viewing experience.

Impact of Viewership on Esports Industry

Esports viewership has been on the rise for the past few years, with millions of people tuning in to watch their favorite games being played competitively. This surge in viewership has had a significant impact on the esports industry, both in terms of revenue and overall growth.

One of the most significant impacts of esports viewership has been the increase in sponsorship and advertising revenue. As more people tune in to watch esports events, companies are increasingly willing to invest in sponsorships and advertising deals to reach this growing audience. This has led to a significant increase in revenue for esports teams and event organizers, who can now charge higher rates for sponsorships and advertising deals.

Another impact of esports viewership has been the growth of the industry as a whole. As more people become interested in esports and start watching competitive events, the industry has grown to accommodate this increased demand. This has led to the creation of new esports teams, leagues, and events, as well as the development of new games specifically designed for competitive play.

Esports viewership has also had a significant impact on the gaming industry as a whole. As more people become interested in esports, they are more likely to purchase and play the games that are being played competitively. This has led to increased sales for game developers and publishers, who can now market their games as esports-friendly and attract a new audience of competitive gamers.

Overall, the impact of esports viewership on the industry has been overwhelmingly positive. As more people tune in to watch competitive gaming, the industry has grown to accommodate this increased demand, leading to increased revenue and growth for everyone involved.

Future Trends in Esports Viewership

Esports viewership has been growing rapidly over the past few years, and it is expected to continue to do so in the future. As technology advances and the popularity of esports increases, it is likely that viewership numbers will only continue to rise. Here are a few trends to keep an eye on in the world of esports viewership:

Increased Global Reach

Esports has already made significant inroads around the world, with major tournaments and leagues taking place in countries across the globe. However, as technology continues to improve, it is likely that esports will become even more accessible to people in different parts of the world. For example, as internet speeds increase, it may be easier for people in remote areas to stream esports matches. This could lead to a significant increase in the number of people watching esports, particularly in regions where the sport is still relatively new.

More Coverage from Mainstream Media

As esports continues to grow in popularity, it is likely that more mainstream media outlets will start to cover the sport. This could lead to increased exposure for esports, which could in turn lead to more viewership. Additionally, as more traditional sports leagues start to incorporate esports into their offerings, it is likely that even more media coverage will be devoted to the sport.

Continued Growth of Mobile Esports

Mobile esports has already become a significant part of the esports landscape, with games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Arena of Valor attracting huge audiences. As smartphones become even more powerful and mobile networks continue to improve, it is likely that mobile esports will continue to grow in popularity. This could lead to a significant increase in the number of people watching esports matches on their phones, which could in turn lead to more mobile-focused esports tournaments and leagues.

Overall, the future looks bright for esports viewership. As technology advances and the sport continues to grow in popularity, it is likely that more and more people will start tuning in to watch their favorite games and players compete.

Conclusion

Esports has seen a tremendous growth in recent years, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch their favorite games and players compete. The most popular esports games by viewership in 2023 are League of Legends, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Valorant, according to Esports Charts.

League of Legends, which has been the most popular esports game for several years, continues to dominate the scene with its Mid-Season Invitational tournament achieving 2.3 million peak viewership in May 2023, according to Statista. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, a mobile multiplayer online battle arena game, has taken the second spot with 4,270,270 active teams playing.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, a first-person shooter game, has been a popular esports game for over a decade and remains in the top three with 1,528,724 peak viewership. Valorant, a tactical shooter game developed by Riot Games, has quickly gained popularity among esports fans and has secured the fourth spot with 1,444,670 peak viewership.

With a growing audience of 532.1 million worldwide and a market value of $1.44 billion in 2023, the esports industry is expected to continue its growth in the coming years, reaching $5.48 billion by 2029, according to Demand Sage. China is the leading region based on esports revenue, and Dota 2 is the leading esports game in terms of prize money with $47.79 million.

Overall, the esports industry has become a major player in the entertainment world, attracting millions of viewers and generating billions of dollars in revenue. As technology continues to evolve and new games emerge, it will be interesting to see how the esports landscape changes in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current top 10 list of most-watched esports games by viewership?

The top 10 most-watched esports games by viewership are constantly changing as new games emerge and existing games lose popularity. However, as of 2023, the top 10 most-watched esports games by viewership, according to Esports Charts, are:

1. League of Legends
2. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
3. Dota 2
4. Fortnite
5. Valorant
6. Overwatch
7. PUBG Mobile
8. Hearthstone
9. Rainbow Six Siege
10. Free Fire

What is the biggest esports game in terms of prize pool?

Dota 2 currently holds the record for the biggest esports prize pool, with over $40 million awarded at The International 2022 tournament. The prize pool for The International is crowdfunded by players purchasing in-game items, and a portion of the proceeds goes towards the tournament prize pool.

Which esports game has the highest viewership in 2023?

As of 2023, League of Legends has the highest viewership of any esports game, according to Esports Charts. This is due in part to its large player base and popularity in regions such as China, Korea, and North America.

What are the most popular esports teams in the world?

The most popular esports teams in the world are constantly changing as new teams emerge and existing teams lose popularity. However, some of the most popular esports teams as of 2023, according to Esports Charts, include:

1. T1 (League of Legends)
2. Astralis (CS)
3. OG (Dota 2)
4. G2 Esports (League of Legends)
5. Natus Vincere (CS)
6. Fnatic (League of Legends)
7. Evil Geniuses (Dota 2)
8. FaZe Clan (CS)
9. Cloud9 (League of Legends)
10. Team Liquid (CS)

What are the biggest esports organizations and leagues?

The biggest esports organizations and leagues are constantly changing as new organizations and leagues emerge and existing ones lose popularity. However, some of the biggest esports organizations and leagues as of 2023, according to Esports Charts, include:

1. Tencent (League of Legends, PUBG Mobile)
2. Valve Corporation (Dota 2)
3. Activision Blizzard (Overwatch, Call of Duty)
4. Epic Games (Fortnite)
5. Electronic Sports League (CS, Rainbow Six Siege)

What is the breakdown of viewership for popular esports games?

The breakdown of viewership for popular esports games varies depending on the game and the region. However, according to Esports Charts, some of the most popular esports games in terms of viewership as of 2023 include:

1. League of Legends: Asia (primarily China and Korea)
2. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive: Europe and North America
3. Dota 2: Asia (primarily China)
4. Fortnite: North America and Europe
5. Valorant: North America and Europe
6. Overwatch: North America and Asia (primarily Korea)
7. PUBG Mobile: Asia (primarily China and India)
8. Hearthstone: Europe and North America
9. Rainbow Six Siege: Europe and North America
10. Free Fire: Latin America and Asia (primarily India)